1996 FORD CONTOUR check engine

Servicing Your Contour
229
*
[SV29151(ALL)05/94]
n
Remove tire chains at the first opportunity after using them
on snow and ice. Do not use the chains on dry roads.
%*
[SV29200(ALL)04/95]
Cleaning the Wheels
*
[SV29225(ALL)05/95]
Wash the wheels with the same detergent you use to wash your
vehicle's body. Do not use acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool,
abrasives, fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will
damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil remover to
remove grease and tar.
*
[SV29250(ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if the brushes are
abrasive.
*
[SV29300(ALL)03/01]
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
*
[SV29310(ALL)03/95]
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to check the fluid
level of the transaxle, since your vehicle does not use up
transaxle fluid. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet for replacement intervals. However, if the transaxle is
not working properly Ð for instance, the transaxle may slip or
shift slowly, or you may notice some sign of fluid leakage Ð
the fluid level should be checked.
%*
[SV29340(ALL)02/93]
Checking the Automatic Transaxle Fluid
*
[SV29350(ALL)01/95]
With the vehicle on a level surface and the brake fully applied,
start the engine and move the gear shift selector through all of
the gears allowing sufficient time for each position to engage.
Securely latch the gear shift selector in the P (Park) position.
Fully set the parking brake and leave the engine running.
*
[SV29370(ALL)01/95]
Wipe off the dipstick cap and pull the dipstick out. Wipe the
indicator end clean. Put the dipstick back into the filler tube and
make sure it is fully seated. Pull the dipstick out and read the
fluid level.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996

232
*
[SV30200(ALL)03/95]
Brake Fluid
*
[SV30300(ALL)04/95]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle should not use up
brake fluid rapidly. However, expect the level of the brake fluid
to slowly fall as you put more mileage on your vehicle and the
brake lining wears.
[SV30401(ALL)02/94]
You should check the brake fluid at every scheduled engine oil
change, but be sure to check it at least once a year. You can do
this by looking at the fluid level in the plastic reservoir on the
master cylinder. (SeeThe Engine Typesin this chapter to locate
the brake fluid reservoir.) The fluid level should be at or near
the MAX mark.
*
[SV30450(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
*
[SV30475(ALL)06/95]
If brake fluid contacts eyes, flush eyes with running water for
15 minutes. Get medical attention if irritation persists. If taken
internally, drink water and induce vomiting. Get medical
attention immediately.
*
[SV30500(ALL)03/95]
If the fluid is low, carefully clean and remove the cap from the
reservoir. Fill the reservoir to the MAX line with Ford High
Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid C6AZ-19542-AA or equivalent
DOT 3 fluid meeting Ford specification ESA-M6C25-A.
*
[SV30800(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, you will
cause permanent damage to your brakes.
*
[SV30900(ALL)01/95]
Do not fill the reservoir above the MAX line.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996

234
*
[SV31200(ALL)03/95]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[SV31225(ALL)03/95]
Checking and Adding Power Steering Fluid
[SV31250(ALL)05/94]
With the power steering system at operating temperature,
switch off the engine. The fluid level should be up to the MAX
marking on the transparent reservoir.
[SV31275(ALL)05/94]
If it drops to or below the MIN mark, top off with the specified
fluid.
[SV31350(ALL)05/94]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001260-A
The power steering fluid reservoir
[SV32000(ALL)05/95]
Use only power steering fluid that meets Ford's Specification
ESW-M2C33-F or is an equivalent Type F Automatic
Transmission Fluid with a Ford registration number (an 8-digit
number beginning with ª2Pº printed on the fluid container).
File:cdsvo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996

Servicing Your Contour
249
*
[SV41800(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or
other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up
the engine compartment and exhaust system, which can
start a fire.
*
[SV41900(ALL)05/95]
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss of oil pressure,
the charge warning light, the check engine light, or the
temperature warning light. These sometimes indicate that the
emission system is not working properly.
*
[SV42000(ALL)01/95]
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or
engine. Changes that cause more unburned fuel to reach the
exhaust system can increase the temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
*
[SV42100(ALL)01/95]
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases,
trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles is not permitted
to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent it
from working. In some of the United States and in Canada,
vehicle owners may be liable if their emission control device is
removed or is prevented from working.
*
[SV42300(ALL)01/95]
Do not drive your vehicle if it does not operate properly. See
your dealer if the engine runs on for more than five seconds
after you shut it off or if it misfires, surges, stalls, or backfires.
%*
[SV42400(ALL)05/95]
Information about your vehicle's emission control system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information decal located on or
near the engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and
gives some tune-up specifications.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996

250
%*
[SV42425(ALL)06/95]
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance Testing
*
[SV42450(ALL)06/95]
In some localities it may become a legal requirement to pass an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the On-Board Diagnostic
(OBD) II system. If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery
has just been serviced, the OBD II system is reset to a not ready
for I/M testing condition. To prepare for I/M testing, the law
specifies a ªneed for additional mixed city and highway driving
to complete the checkº of the OBD II system. As soon as all of
the OBD II system checks are successfully completed, the OBD
II system is set to the ready condition. The amount of driving
required to reach the ready condition varies with individual
driving patterns. To complete this requirement in the minimum
amount of time, refer to the OBD II Drive Cycle defined below.
If the vehicle owner cannot or does not want to do the
additional driving required by law, a service center can perform
this drive cycle as it would any other type of repair work.
*
[SV42475(ALL)06/95]
OBD II Drive Cycle
*
[SV42501(ALL)06/95]
The following steps must be run in the order shown. If any
steps are interrupted, repeat the preceding step. Any safe
driving mode is acceptable between steps.
*
[SV42550(ALL)06/95]
Always drive vehicle in safe manner according to traffic
conditions and obey all traffic laws.
*
[SV42560(ALL)05/95]
The engine must be warmed up and at operating temperature
before proceeding with the drive modes of the following OBD II
Drive Cycle.
*
[SV42575(ALL)05/95]1.
Start the engine. Drive or idle (in neutral) the vehicle for
4 minutes.
[SV42601(ALL)05/95]2.
Idle the vehicle in Drive (Neutral for manual transaxle) for
40 seconds.
*
[SV42610(ALL)06/95]3.
Accelerate the vehicle to 45 mph (70 km/h) at 1/4 to 1/2
throttle for 10 seconds.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996

256
%*
[SV45350(ALL)01/95]
Engine
*
[SV45400(ALL)01/95]
n
Start engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle until it reaches
normal operating temperature.
*
[SV45500(ALL)01/95]
n
With your foot on the brake, shift through all the gears
while the engine is running.
%*
[SV45600(ALL)01/95]
Fuel system
%*
[SV45700(ALL)07/94]
n
Fill fuel tank with high-quality unleaded fuel until the first
automatic shutoff of the fuel pump nozzle.
*
[SV45900(ALL)03/95]
NOTE: During extended periods of vehicle storage (60 days or
more), fuel may deteriorate due to oxidation. This can
damage rubber and other polymers in the fuel system
and may also clog small orifices.
*
[SV46000(ALL)01/95]
Ford Gas Stabilizer should be added whenever actual or
expected storage periods exceed 60 days. Follow the instructions
on the label. The vehicle should then be operated at idle speed
to circulate the additive throughout the fuel system.
*
[SV46100(ALL)01/95]
A volatile corrosion inhibitor added to the fuel system will
protect the fuel system's inner surfaces from corrosion. Follow
the instructions packaged with the product.
%*
[SV46200(ALL)01/95]
Cooling system
*
[SV46300(ALL)01/95]
n
Protect against freezing temperatures.
%*
[SV46400(ALL)01/95]
Battery
*
[SV46500(ALL)01/95]
n
Check and recharge as necessary.
*
[SV46600(ALL)01/95]
n
Keep connections clean and covered with a light coat of
grease.
*
[SV46650(ALL)03/95]
n
If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days without
recharging the battery, it may be advisable to disconnect the
battery cables to ensure battery charge is maintained for
quick starting.
File:cdsvo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:09:28 1996

276 Circuit breakers, checking and replacing......... 243
Cleaning your vehicle
CD player and discs................. 125
chrome and aluminum parts.............. 6
exterior....................... 5
exterior lamps.................... 79
fabric....................... 106
headlamps...................... 79
instrument panel................... 69
mirrors....................... 108
plastic parts..................... 6
polishing....................... 5
rear windows..................... 76
rustproofing..................... 6
safety belts...................... 16
tail lamps...................... 79
upholstery and interior trim............. 106
washing....................... 5
wheels....................... 229
windows....................... 76
Clutch
operation while driving............... 145
shifting the gears.................. 145
specifications.................... 254
Cold engine starting................... 46
Combination lap and shoulder belts............ 9
Compact disc player (see Electronic sound system).... 121
Compact disc radio (see Electronic sound system).... 116
Console, description.................. 110
Controls
instrument panel................... 69
mirrors....................... 107
steering column.................... 83
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
checking and adding................ 213
preparing for storage................ 256
refill capacities................... 252
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 1996

278 Electronic stereo cassette radio
(see Electronic sound system).......... 130
Electronic stereo radio (see Electronic sound system) . . . 130
Emergencies, roadside
assistance..................... 179
battery acid spills.................. 163
jump-starting.................... 163
towing....................... 175
Emergency brake (parking brake)............ 152
Emission control system
catalytic converter.................. 248
emissions warranty................ 3,248
Engine
check engine warning light.............. 61
does not start..................... 47
fuel injected engine, starting............ 43,45
fuel pump shut-off switch............... 50
preparing to start................... 44
refill capacities................... 252
service points.................... 199
starting....................... 45
starting after a collision................ 50
storing your vehicle................. 256
Engine block heater................... 49
Engine coolant
checking and adding................ 213
disposal...................... 216
low coolant warning light............... 67
preparing for storage................ 256
recovery reservoir................199, 214
refill capacities................... 252
specifications.................... 254
temperature gauge.................. 64
File:cdixo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:10:47 1996